I/) 


A 


SERMON 


PREACHED  TO  THE 


Hampshire  MISSIONARY  SOCIE1Y, 


AT  THEIR 

» 

ANNUAL  MEETING 

The  fourth  Tuefday  in  Auguft — 1802, 

■ hvJ:  ' 10  . :::  io  i.-j  .1  !>e::  mo; 

In  Northampton. 

\ rr  * • ' f 11  ’ r ; ■*  * i'f 

By  Rev.  JOSEPH  LATH R OP,  d.  d. 

Paftor  of  the  firft  Church  in  Weft-Springfield 


o 

NORTHAMPTON, 

Printed  by  WILLIAM  BUTLER. 
1802. 

lv 


At  a Meeting  of  the  Miffonary  Society , the  Fourth  Tuef- 
day  of  Augujiy  1 802. 

Voted — To  return  the  thanks  of  the  Society  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Lathrop,  for  his  Sermon , delivered  be- 
fore them,  and  requefl:  of  him  a copy  for  the  prefs. 

Attest— 

PAYSON  WILLISTON,  Recording  Secretary. 


A 


SERMON. 


X>OOOC<Xx  XX  <f  :>C  <XX 


ACTS,  xvm . 9,  ic,  11. 

Then  fpake  the  Lord  to  Paul  in  the  night  by  a mi /ion  ; 
Be  not  afraid , but  /peak,  and  hold  not  thy  peace  ; for 
I am  with  thee , and  no  man  Jhall  fet  on  thee  to  hurt 
thee  : for  I have  much  people  in  this  city.  And  he 
continued  there  a year  and  ftn  months , teaching  the 
word  of  God  among  them. 

OUR  Lord,  after  his  refurre&ion,  commif- 
lioned  his  apolUes  to  go  forth  and  preach  his  gofpei 
among  all  nations.  In  the  execution  of  their  com  mi  f- 
fion,  they  by  agreement  took  feveral  departments,  and 
were  ready  occafionally  to  aflift,  but  careful  not  to  in- 
terfere with  one  another.  The  diftrifl  affigned  to 
Paul  included  Achaia,  the  capital  of  which  was  Cor- 
inth. In  this  city  dwelt  a number  of  Jews,  for  whofe 
fake  he,  on  the  fabbath,  preached  in  their  fynagogue. 
But  the  violent  oppofition  which  they  made  to  him, 
call  him  into  fuch  difeouragement,  that  he  contemplated 
a removal  to  fome  other  place,  where  he  might  preach 
with  greater  fafety  and  better  fuccefs.  This  feems  to 
have  been  the  occafion  of  the  vifion,  juft  now  related, 
which  dire&ed  his  farther  continuance  in  that  city. 

So. MB 


[ 6 ] 

Some  obfervations  pertinent  to  the  occafion,  on 
which  we  are  affembled,  will  be  fuggefted  by  this 
vifion. 

I.  We  may  here  naturally  obferve,  that  the  a- 
poftles,  in  the  publication  of  the  Gofpel,  had  much 
oppofition  to  contend  with. 

The  gofpel  is  fo  rational  and  benevolent  a 
fcheme,  fo  perfectly  adapted  to  the  condition  of  fallen 
men,  and  fo  calculated  to  render  them  virtuous  and 
happy,  that  w'e  might  juftly  expett,  it  would  be  mod 
cordially  received,  wherever  it  was  propofed.  But  the 
event  has  often  been  the  reverfe.  By  many  it  is  treat- 
ed with  indifference — by  fome,  with  enmity. 

The  oppofition  to  it  arifes,  in  general,  from  the 
depravity  of  the  human  mind.  Hence  the  apoftle 
warns  thofe,  to  whom  it  comes,  to  * beware,  left  there 
be  in  any  of  them  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief  in  departing 
from  the  living  God.’ 

Some  oppofed  the  doctrine  of  the  apoftles,  be- 
caufe  it  contradifted  the  fentiments  in  which  they  had 
been  educated.  A religion  which  fubverted  their  ac- 
cuftomed  forms  of  worfhip,  and  expofed  the  abfurdity 
of  their  ancient  fuperftition,  they  viewed  as  a danger- 
ous innovation,  and  rejected  without  enquiry. 

Some,  who  had  made  gain  by  the  credulity  of  the 
people,  finding  that,  where  the  gofpel  prevailed,  the 
hopes  of  their  gain  were  gone,  oppofed  the  preachers 
of  it  on  this  ground. 

But  the  moft  bitter  and  implacable  enemies, 
which  the  apoftles  met  with,  were  Jews.  In  moft  of 
the  perfecutions  railed  againft  them,  Jews  were  the 
firft  movers  and  principal  aftors.  Their  oppofition  a- 
rofe,  in  a great  meafure,  from  political  motives.  They 

had 


[ 7 ] 

had  long  been  in  expectation  of  the  Mefliah  foretold 
by  the  prophets.  And  applying  to  an  imaginary  tem- 
poral kingdom  the  grand  deferiptions  which  the  proph- 
ets had  given  of  Chrilt’s  fpiritual  kingdom,  they  per- 
fuaded  themfelves,  that,  when  he  came,  they  fhould 
not  only  be  liberated  from  the  oppreffions  of  the  Ro- 
mans, but  exalted  to  dominion  over  all  nations  of  the 
earth.  The  apoltles  told  them,  that  the  promifed 
Mefliah  had  already  come,  had  l'ulfered  death  at  Jeru- 
falem,  had  rifen  from  the  dead  and  afeended  to  heav- 
en— that  his  kingdom  confided  in  the  fubje&ion  of 
men’s  hearts  to  his  religion,  and  his  conqueu  over  the 
Gentiles  was  the  fpread  and  influence  of  his  religion  a- 
mong  them.  Thefe  doCtrines,  fubverfive  of  their  proud 
hopes,  excited  among  them  a violent  oppofition. 

The  apofUes,  in  their  preaching,  never  meddled 
with  civil  government  farther  than  religion  was  con- 
nected with  it.  They  taught  the  virtues,  which  are 
eflential  to  the  happinefs  of  communities,  inculcated  the 
relative  and  focial  duties,  exhorted  chriftians  to  pray 
for,  and  fubmit  to  the  ruling  powers,  and  by  the  prac- 
tice of  all  godlinefs  and  honelty  to  fecure  to  themfelves 
peace  and  quietnefs  among  men.  But  they  never  en- 
tered into  the  queftion,  Whether  Cefar  ought  to  be 
emperor  at  Rome,  or  Herod  king  in  Judea,  or  wheth- 
er the  Roman  government  ought  to  be  exercifed  over 
Jews.  Had  they  taken  a decided  part  againlt  the 
claims  of  the  Romans,  they  would  have  rendered  them- 
felves popular  among  the  Jews.  But  becaufe  they 
took  no  part  in  the  political  controverfy  of  the  day, 
they  became  obnoxious  to  the  zealots  among  their 
countrymen. 

In  all  ages,  when  idolatry  or  infidelity  has  much 
prevailed,  if  the  fpirit  of  political  parties  has,  at  the 
fame  time,  run  high,  the  teachers  of  religion,  faithful- 
ly difeharging  their  duty,  and  honeflly  inculcating  the 

necefllty 


[ 8 ] 

neceflity  of  religion  to  focial  happinefs,  have  been  re- 
viled, as  interefting  themfelves  in  politicks.  So  it  was 
in  the  time  of  our  Saviour  and  his  apoflles ; and  fo  it 
was  in  all  the  reigns  of  the  idolatrous  kings  oflfrael. 
For  infidels  have  generally  rejected  the  idea,  that  reli- 
gion is  neceflfary  to  the  peace  and  happinefs  of  fociety. 

The  great  object  of  religion  is  to  prepare  men 
for,  and  bring  them  to  the  happinefs  of  immortality  : 
And  where  it  has  its  proper  influence  ; it  alfo  pro- 
motes their  happinefs  in  all  the  relations  of  the  prefent 
life.  * Godlinefs  has  the  promife  of  the  life  that  now 
is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come.’  But  if  we  make  re- 
ligion merely  an  inflrument  of  temporal  defigns,  fup- 
pofing  that  gain  is  godlinefs,  all  our  religion  is  vain.  I 
proceed, 

II.  To  take  notice  of  the  charge  given  to  the  a- 
poflle  ; ‘ Be  not  afraid,  fpeak,  hold  not  thy  peace.’ 
In  obedience  to  this  command,  he  continued  in  Cor- 
inth, teaching  the  word  of  God. 

They  who  fpeak,  are  to  fpeak  as  the  oracles  of 
God.  They  are  to  fpeak  the  word  fully , keeping  back 
nothing  which  is  profitable — to  fpeak  it  plainly,  com- 
mending themfelves  to  every  man’s  confcience — to 
fpeak  it  boldly , as  men  who  believe  its  truth,  and  feel 
its  importance — to  fpeak  it  with  conflancy  and  perfever- 
ancc , trufting  in  the  fufhciency  of  divine  grace.  They 
are  not  to  be  difeouraged  in,  or  diverted  from  their 
work  by  malicious  flander  and  contradi&ion,  or  by  the 
fmall  appearance  of  fuccefs,  but  to  difeharge  their  du- 
ty with  fidelity,  leaving  the  iflfue  with  God. 

We  cannot  judge  with  accuracy  concerning  the 
fuccefs  of  our  miniftry.  The  word  preached,  if  it 
have  not  a viftble  effect  in  reclaiming  the  openly  im- 
moral, may  have  a filent  influence  on  youthful  and  ten- 
der minds  in  guarding  them  againfl  the  corruptions  of 

the 


[ 9 ] 

the  world,  anil  in  gently  forming  them  to  the  love  and 
choice  of  religion.  If  its  effect  be  not  general,  it  may 
he  happy  in  particular  inftances.  Some,  who  receive 
from  it  no  prefent  benefit,  may  hereafter  fed  its  tranf- 
furming  power.  A good  work  begun  may  be  lome- 
time  in  progrefs,  before  it  becomes  apparent  to  the 
wo. Id.  It  is  by  continuing;  in  our  doctrine,  that  we 
fave  thofe  who  hear  us.  This  leads  us, 

III.  To  confider  the  encouragement,  which  Chrift 
gives  to  Paul  ; / am  with  thee. 

This  is  a renewal  of  the  promife  before  made  to 
minifters  in  general  ; ‘ I am  with  you  always,  even  to 
the  end  of  the  world.’  The  promife  belongs  peculiar- 
ly to  thofe  who  are  faithful  and  perfevering  in  the 
work  of  Chrift.  It  is  preceded  by  a charge  ; 4 Teach 
men  to  obferve  all  things,  whatfoever  1 have  com- 
manded you.’  In  the  fame  manner  it  is  made  to 
Paul  ; 4 Be  not  afraid,  fpeak,  hold  not  thy  peace,  for 
I am  with  the.’  Had  Paul  deferted  Chrift’s  caufe,  he 
would  have  forfeited  the  benefit  of  the  promife. 

This  was  a promife  of  pcrfonal  protection.  Chrift 
forewarned  his  aifciples,  that  they  fhould  fuller  re- 
proach and  perfecution  for  his  fake  ; But  he  allured 
them,  that  while  he  employed,  them  in  his  fervice,  he 
would  watch  over  and  defend  them  : and  when  he 
difmiffed  them,  he  would  gracioully  reward  them. — 
During  their  miniftry,  they  experienced  his  care  in  de- 
livering them  from  dangers,  fupporting  them  in  trials, 
and  overruling  the  moft  difeouraging  appearances  to 
the  eventual  advancement  of  the  truth.  Paul  fays  to 
the  Philippian's,  among  whom,  in  a particular  inftar.ee, 
he  had  been  fliamefully  entreated,  4 The  things,  which 
happened  to  me,  have  fallen  out  rather  to  the  further- 
ance of  the  gofpel.  Many  of  the  brethren,  waxing 
confident  by  my  bonds,  are  much  more  bold  to  fpeak 
the  w'ord  of  God.1 


B 


Tins 


I 10  ] 

This  prom ife  to  Paul  may  alfo  intend,  that  he 
lliould  receive  a competent  fupport.  In  this  view  it  was 
remarkably  verified.  From  the  Corinthians,  indeed, 
he  met  not  the  attention,  which,  from  a people  fo  nu- 
merous and  opulent,  might  juftly  have  been  expe&ed. 
They  contributed  liberally  to  the  falfe  teachers,  who 
came  to  detach  them  from  the  order  of  the  gofpel,  and 
to  difaft'ect  them  to  one  another.  But  Paul,  who  was 
doing  them  fervice,  fuffered  want  and  he  might,  for 
them , have  ftarved  in  his  million.  Other  churches, 
however,  contributed  to  his  relief.  That  which  vas 
wanting  to  him  the  brethren  from  Macedonia  fupplied, 
fo  that  he  could  fayr  4 I have  all  things  and  abound-’ 
The  chriltians  in  Macedonia,  efpecially  in  Philippi,  did 
not  imagine,  that  they  fully  difeharged  their  duty  by 
fupporting  the  gofpel  among  themfelves  only  : They 
felt  an  obligation  to  aid  its  diffufion  and  fuccefs  among 
others.  As  they  believed  it  to  be  true  and  important 
they  wiflied  it  might  prevail  every  where.  Paul  was 
now  a millionary  in  Corinth,  among  a people  w ealthy, 
indeed,  but  unhappily  divided  in  fentiment  by  the  in- 
fluence of  fe&aries  among  them,  and  confequently  not 
well  difpofed  toward  him.  The  Chriftians  therefore 
in  Phillippi,  unwilling  that  his  million  lliould  fail,  con- 
tributed largely  to  his  fupport,  while  he  was  there. 

Christians,  who  enjoy  and  value  the  gofpel, 
will  not  think,  that  the  fupport  of  it  among  themfelves 
is  all,  which  they  have  to  do  : They  will  conflder  the 
unhappy  cafe  of  many,  who  are  deftitute  of  it,  or  not 
in  a condition  to  maintain  it,  or  thro’  indifference  will 
not  enquire  after  it.  It  was  not  the  poverty,  but  the 
negligence  of  the  people  m Corinth,  which  induced 
the  cliriffians  in  Philippi  to  fend  once  and  again  to  the 
fupport  of  a millionary  among  them.  The  Corinthi- 
ans w'ere  jull  emerging  from  heathenifm,  and  the  Phil- 
ippians,  who  were  in  C.hrift  before  them,  would  en- 
courage the  work  now  hopefully  begun  among  them. 

This 


[ II  ] 

This  promife  of  Chriflmay  farther  import,  that 
he  would  Jlrengthen  and  fucceed  the  apoftle  in  his  la- 
bours. Paul  felt  his  own  weaknefs  ; but,  having  re- 
ceived this  promife  from  Chrift,  ‘ My  grace  is  luffi- 
cient  for  thee  he  could  fay,  ‘ When  1 am  weak, 
then  I am  ftrong  : 1 will  glory  in  infirmities,  that  the 
power  of  Chrift  may  reft  upon  me.’  Difcouraged  by 
oppofition  in  Corinth,  he  meditated  a removal  ; but 
the  gracious  declaration  of  Chrift,  ‘ I am  with  thee,’ 
difpelled  his  fears.  Minifters,  confcious  of  their  fidel- 
ity, may  apply  this  promife.  Where  the  word  is 
preached  in  its  purity,  and  heard  with  attention,  we 
may  believe,  that  Chrift  is  prefent  by  his  fpirit. — 
Where  he  fends  hisgofpel,  he  fends  his  fpirit  with  it  ; 
nor  will  he  take  away  his  fpirit,  as  long  as  his  gofpcl 
is  there  retained.  When  it  is  put  away  by  direct  op- 
pofition, or  ceafes  by  general  negleft,  then  the  Spirit 
retires. We  may  obferve  farther  ; 

IV.  Christ  here  alTigns  a fpecial  reafon , why 
Paul  fhould  continue  preaching  in  Corinth.  1 have 
much  people  in  this  city. 

As  Jefus  is  Lord  of  nature,  and  head  over  all 
things  to  the  church,  all  men  are  his  people.  A rea- 
fon, then,  for  Paul’s  continuance  in  Corinth  might  be, 
becaufe  it  was  a populous  city.  It  was  the  capital  of 
Achaia,  the  feat  of  government,  a place  of  public  re- 
fort. If  a church  fhould  be  collected  and  eftablifhed 
here,  the  gofpel  would  from  hence  fpread  far  around 
and  reach  to  diflant  parts. 

The  apoftles,  in  their  miflionary  travels,  preach- 
ed occafionally,  as  they  found  people  difpofed  to  hear 
them,  whether  the  affembly  were  great  or  fmall  ; but 
they  ufually  made  their  Jland  in  the  centre  of  noted 
cities,  not  in  the  darts  of  obfeure  villages.  For  this 
conduct  there  were  two  very  obvious  reafons : One 
was,  becaufe  in  thefe  large  cities  there  would  be  more 

people 


[ *3  ] 

people  to  bear  them,  and  more  good  might  be  done 
with  the  fame  labour  : And  another  was,  becaufe  in 
thole  places  they  would  meet  with  men  of  competent 
knowledge  and  ability  to  examine  the  evidence,  and 
judge  of  the  truth  of  tbegofpel ; and  they  would  thus 
prevent,  or  filence  every  infatuation,  that  the  gofpel 
made  its  way  by  the  ignorance  and  credulity  of  the 
rude  and  uninllrudted  multitude.  They  preached  in 
places  themofl  celebrated  for  learning;  in  Jerufalem 
and  Cefarea,  the  feats  of  Jewifh  erudition  ; and  in 
Corinth,  Ephefus,  Athens,  and  Rome,  where  the  arts 
and  fciences  were  publickly  profeffed,  and  diligently 
fludied.  They  preached  in  fchools  of  philofophers, 
as  well  as  in  fynagogues  ofihe  Jews.  They  fheweda 
confidence  in  the  goodnefs  of  their  caufe  ; and  they 
were  able  to  fupport  it  by  arguments,  which  all  their 
adverfaries  could  not  gainfay  nor  refill. 

When  Chrifl  fays,  1 1 have  much  people  in  this 
city,’  he  may  intend,  that  amidll  all  the  oppofition 
made  to  his  gofpel,  many  had  embraced  it.  In  the 
preceding  verfes,  it  is  faid,  c Crifpus,  the  chief  ruler  of 
the  fynagogue,  believed  in  the  Lord  with  all  his 
houfe.’  And  many  of  the  Corinthians  hearing,  be- 
lieved and  were  baptized.’  If  many  had  already  been 
here  converted  to  the  faith  under  Paul’s  minillry, there 
was  reafon  to  hope  for  other  converfions.  And  it  was 
not  a time  to  remove,  when  fo  much  good  had  been 
done,  and  there  was  a profpedf  of  doing  more.  If  his 
firft  entrance  among  a people  in  unbelief  had  been  at- 
tended with  fome  good  efiedts,  his  continued  labours 
might  be  followed  with  happier  conlequenccs.  The 
work  was  now  in  progrefs,  and  there  would  be  many 
to  co-operate  with  him. 

But  the  words  may  rather  be  undcrflood,  as 
purporting  Paul’s  future  fuccels  in  Corinth.  As 
Chrifl  calls  thofe  bis  Jhccp , Who  fliould  afterward 
come  into  his  fold,  l'o  he  may  here,  by  anticipation, 

call 


[ J3  ] 


call  thofe  his  people , who  fliould  believe  in  him  thro’ 
Paul’s  miniltry.  ‘ Hold  not  thy  peace,  for  here  are 
many,  who  are  difpofed  to  hear  my  gofpel,  and  who, 
having  an  opportunity  to  hear,  will  receive  and  obey 
it.’ 


Wiiek  God  is  about  to  accomplifli  any  great 
work  of  grace  amoug  a people,  he  fends  his  gofpel  to 
them  by  the  hands  of  his  minifters.  How  far  he  may 
aft  by  the  immediate  energy  of  his  Spirit  in  fome  indi- 
viduals among  thofe  heathens,  who  are  not  within  the 
reach  of  the  gofpel,  we  pretend  not  to  fay.  But  there 
never  has  been  any  general  reformation  among  hea- 
thens and  idolaters  without  human  agents  preaching  to 
them  the  uord  of  falvation.  6 How  fliall  they  believe 
in  him,  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ? And  how  (hall 
they  hear  without  a preacher  ?’  Befure,  where  the 
gofpel  is  attainable,  no  remarkable  reformations  are  ef- 
fected without  it.  In  the  times  of  the  apoftles,  there 
were  no  nations,  or  bodies  of  people  reclaimed  from 
vice  or  fuperflition  by  the  energy  of  their  own  reafon 
and  reflection,  or  by  the  leCtures  of  philofophers.  Nor 
was  fupernatural  infpiration  ever  employed  in  fuch  a 
manner,  as  to  fuperfede  human  agency.  Whatever 
was  done  in  reforming  mankind,  was  done  by  means  of 
a preached  gofpel.  God  fometimes  by  extraordinary 
meafures  brought  the  gofpel  to  thofe  who  were  igno- 
rant of  it ; but  he  never  by  immediate  infpiration  com- 
municated to  them  the  things  which  they  might  learn 
by  the  gofpel.  By  a vifion  he  directed  Cornelius  to 
fend  for  Peter  ; and  by  a vifion  lie  commanded  Peter 
to  go  and  preach  to  Cornelius.  But  Cornelius  and 
his  friends  and  neighbors  never  learned  the  way  of  fal- 
vation thro’  Chrift,  until  Peter  came  to  them,  nor  did 
the  Holy  Ghofl  fall  on  them,  before  they  heard  Peter 
preach.  Philip  was  by  the  Spirit  ordered  to  go  and 
inftruCt  the  Ethiopian  Eunuch  ; and  this  Ethiopian, 
having  been  inftruCted  by  the  evangelift,  might  prob- 
ably carry  the  gofpel  to  his  countrymen.  But  the  E- 

thiopians 


ihiopians  never  had  the  gofpel  communicated  to  them 
by  immediate  infpiration.  God,  if  he  pleafed,  could 
have  infpired  the  people  of  Corinth,  Galatia  and  Phil- 
ippi with  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  as  eafily  as 
have  infpired  the  apodles.  But  he  never  takes  extra- 
ordinary methods  of  communication,  where  ordinary 
means  are  fufiicient.  In  the  beginning  of  the  gofpel, 
he  furnifhed  a competent  number  of  men  to  be  teach- 
ers of  others,  and  wherever  it  was  his  will,  at  that 
time,  to  fend  the  gofpel,  fome  of  thefe  teachers  mud 
go  and  carry  it.  God  is  not  lavilh  of  infpiration.  In 
this  way  he  does  only  what  is  neceffary,  and  what  can- 
not be  done  in  the  ordinary  way.  PI  is  moral  govern- 
ment is  uniform.  It  is  conduced  on  the  fame  general 
principles  now,  as  it  was  formerly.  If  ever  the  gofpel 
fpreads  among  thofe  who  are  ignorant  of  it,  or  fuc- 
ceeds  among  thofe  who  are  indifferent  to  it,  human  a- 
gency  will  certainly  be  employed  in  the  work. 

V.  Another  obfervation,  which  prcfents  itfelf 
to  us,  refpe&s  Paul’s  continuance  in  Corinth.  He 
preached  there  a year  and  an  half.  And  when  he 
removed,  Apollos  Succeeded  him,  and  watered  the 
feed  there  fown.  The  feed  of  the  word,  like  other 
feed,  mud  not  only  be  fown,  but  cultivated,  that  it 
may  bring  forth  fruit  to  perfe&ion. 

The  primitive  miffionaries,  when  they  found  en- 
couraging reception  in  any  confiderable  town  or  city, 
continued  there  preaching  the  gofpel,  until  they  were 
called  away  to  publiili  it  in  fome  other  place.  And 
as  foon  as  they  had  colletted  a church,  they  ordained  a 
pallor  wdio  Ihould  take  the  dated  overlight  of  it.  The 
apcdolic  miffionaries  did  not  content  themfelves  with 
merely  itinerant, or  fugitive  preaching : They  aimed  to 
tarry  in  the  fame  place  long  enough  to  lay  the  ground 
work  of  a religious  fociety  ; and  when  they  withdrew 
from  it,  they  committed  it  to  the  care  of  fome  other, 
and  ufually  of  fome  younger  ininider,  who  might  fuc- 


[ i5  ] 

cefsfully  profecute  the  work  begun,  but  was  not  equal- 
ly capable  of  beginning  fuch  a work.  It  was  not  then, 
nor  is  it  now,  agreeable  to  the  will  of  Chrift,  chat 
focieties  of  Chriftians  fhould  remain  deflitute  of  a fix- 
ed pallor,  and  depend  on  tranfient  fupplies  : Every 
church  is  to  have  her  own  minifter,  who  Ihall  flatcdly 
difpenfe  to  her  the  word  and  ordinances  of  Chrift. — 
The  objeft  of  prefent  miflionaries  fliould  be  the  fame, 
as  was  that  of  the  primitive  ones — not  merely  to  fcat- 
ter  the  feed  of  the  word  cafually,  as  they  run  thro’  the 
wildernefs  ,but  to  open  and  prepare  fields,  where  the 
feed  fown  may  be  brought  to  maturity  under  the  care 
of  fucceeding  laborers. 

Oun  obfervations  on  this  vifion  of  Jefus  to  his 
apoftle  will  eafily  apply  themfclves  to  the  members  and 
friends  of  the  Hampshire  Missionary  Society , 
many  of  whom  are  now  convened  in  this  houfe.. 

i.  \V e clearly  fee,  that  the  inftitution  of  this  fo- 
ciety  for  the  fpreading  and  promoting  of  Chriftiart 
knowledge  and  praftice  among  our  new  fettlements 
and  the  aboriginal  tribes,  is  authorized  by  apoftolic  ex- 
ample. The  gofpel  was  firft  fpread  among  heathens  by 
the  labours  of  miflionaries.  The  apoftles,  to  whom 
it  was  committed,  fent  forth  fome  of  their  number  to 
propagate  it  among  ignorant  nations  ; and  they,  who, 
under  the  miniftry  of  the  apoftles,  firft  embraced  if, 
felt  an  obligation  to  aid  them  in  other  millions.  The 
commiftion,  which  Chrift  gave  to  his  apoftles  was,  to 
teach  all  nations.  The  field  was  immenfe,  and  they 
went  every  where  preaching  the  word.  The  views 
of  this  fociety  are  confined  to  our  own  land.  But  here 
the  field  is  large.  Within  the  compafs  of  our  knowl- 
edge or  information,  there  are  multitudes  in  a Hate  of 
heathenifm,  or  in  a ftate  little  better.  They  have 
heard  of  the  gofpel  ; but  are  indifferent  to  it,  and 
probably  will  not  feek  it,  nor  ever  have  it,  unlcfs  it  be 
gratuitoufly  carried  to  them.  And  furely  the  duty  of 

conveying 


t ■«  ] 

conveying  it,  lies  with  us  who  enjoy  it.  If  there  vs  as 
among  them  a raging  ficknefs,  which,  from  year  to 
year,  carried  them  off  by  thoufands ; and  we  poffeffed 
a known  and  efficacious  remedy,  humanity  would  dic- 
tate, that  we  ffiould  be  at  fome  expen fe  to  fend  able 
phyficians  among  them.  Their  prefent  condition  is  far 
more  dangerous — our  prefent  call  is  far  more  urgent. 

We  hope,  that,  in  a little  time,  we  ffiall  be  able 
to  fend  indruftors  and  preachers  among  the  natives  of 
the  land  : At  prefent,  as  our  means  are  fmall,  v.e  arc 
directing  our  attention  chiefly  to  our  new  fettlements. — 
Thefe  plainly  need  our  affidance.  Before  the  revo- 
lution, when  the  favages  were  roaming  in  the  wilder- 
nefs,  new  fettlements  were  formed  with  caution  ; 
emigrants  moved  in  collected  numbers  ; they  carried 
with  them  habits  of  religious  order  ; and  they  were 
foon  in  a condition  to  enjoy  the  dated  minidrations 
of  the  gofpel.  Now  a vaft  territory  is  opened  at 
once  ; the  terrors  of  the  wildernefs  have  ceafed ; a 
fpirit  of  emigration  and  enterprize  has  feized  multi- 
tudes ; fettlements  are  forming  every  where,  and  ma- 
ny of  them  mud  increafe  but  dowly  ; planters  meet 
on  the  fame  ground  with  a diverfity  of  habits  and  o- 
pinions ; foreigners  and  infidels,  men  of  loofe  princi- 
ples, corrupt  morals  and  diforganizing  fentiments  min- 
gle with  them  : hence  it  mud  be  a long  time  before 
many  of  thefe  fettlements  will  be  able,  and  longer  be- 
fore fome  of  them  will  be  difpofed  to  obtain  a dated 
minidry.  And  unlefs  fome  charitable  means  be  ap- 
plied, what  ffiall  hinder,  but  that,  in  a few  genera- 
tions, a great  part  of  this  fine  growing  country  will  be 
a region  of  moral  darknefs  and  horror  ? 

2.  Our  fubjeft  calls  on  nil  the  friends  of  religion 
to  afford  their  aid,  according  to  their  ability,  in  pro- 
moting the  objeft  of  this  fociety,  which  is  the  fpread 
of  the  golpel  among  the  heathens,  and  in  our  infant 
fettlements. 


It 


r *7  3 

It  will  naturally  be  expc&ed,  that  the  miniflcrs 
of  the  gofpel  take  a didinguiffied  part  in  a work  of 
this  kind  ; but  without  the  concurrence  of  their  chrif- 
tian  brethren,  they  can  do  but  little.  They  hope  to 
do  their  part  ; and  greatly  will  they  be  animated, 
when  they  are  addrefled  by  all  around  them,  in  the 
language  of  the  Levites  to  Ezra  ; 4 Arife,  for  this 
matter  belongeth  to  you  : We  al/'o  will  be  with  you  ; 
be  of  good  courage  aud  do  it.’  When  Paul  was  a 
miffionary,  the  believers  in  Macedonia,  fent  once  mul 
again  to  his  fupport.  They  repeated  their  contribu- 
tions in  aid  of  his  pious  work.  We  mull  do  likewife 
in  aid  of  the  work  which  we  have  begun.  Much,  for 
the  time  has  already  been  done.  Our  expectations 
have  been  fully  anfwercd  ; yea,  far  exceeded.  But 
as  we  have  no  confiderable  funds,  we  mud  flill  princi- 
pally depend  on  continued  charity.  If  this  fhould 
ceale,  the  inditution  mud  foon  fail. 

A work  of  this  kind  requires  the  concurrence  of 
numbers.  A few  individuals  are  not  competent  to  it. 
If  the  time  is  come,  when  we  fee  many  engaged  in  it, 
we  are  called  to  co-operate  with  them.  We  have 
probably,  in  years  pad,  felt  a benevolent  concern  for 
our  unhappy  fellow  mortals ; but  we  have  attempted 
nothing,  becaufe  by  ourfelves  we  could  do  nothing. 
If  now  we  fee  others  aCting  in  a work,  which  we  have 
long  had  at  heart,  we  can  lend  our  aid  witii  a hope, 
that  it  will  not  be  in  vain. 

In  the  apodolic  times,  whenever  God  was  about 
to  fend  his  gofpel  to  a particular  place,  he  excited  the 
hearts  of  fome  of  the  apodles  and  preachers  to  carry  it 
thither,  and  moved  the  hearts  of  Chridians  to  affid 
them.  Paul  felt  a preffure  of  fpirit  to  preach  Chrid 
in  Corinth.  His  fpirit  w?as  dirred  in  him  to  proclaim 
the  gofpel  in  Athens.  Apollos  was  minded  to  go  and 
preach  in  Achaia.  Such  excitements  were  indications, 
that  there  was  much  good  to  be  done.  When  God 
C has 


[ 18  ] 

lias  a great  work  in  defign,  he  ftirs  up  the  hearts  of 
proper  agents  to  engage  in  it.  From  this  confidera- 
tion  we  may  derive  a pleafmg  hope,  that  the  prefent 
extenfive  and  ferveirt  zeal  among  minifters  and  private 
Chriftians  in  Europe  and  America  to  fpread  the  gof- 
pel  among  thofe  who  are  in  heathenifm,  tr  in  a hate 
threatening  a relapfe  into  heathenifm,  is  a token 
that  God  has  fome  gracious  work  now  to  be  accom- 
plifhed  in  favor  of  thofe  unhappy  mortals. 

We  often  pray  for  the  converfion  of  heathens, 
and  for  the  union  of  fcattered,  and  the  fupply  of  def- 
titute  Chriftians.  Are  we  fincere  in  our  prayers  ? We 
fhall  then  aft  agreeably  to  them.  If  God  demands 
human  means  in  works  of  this  kind,  let  us  apply  the 
means  in  our  power,  and  be  workers  together  with 
God.  If  all  which  we  intend  by  our  prayers  is,  that 
God  fhou'id  w'ork  by  infpiration  or  miracles,  we  then 
afk  him  to  ftep  afide  from  his  ufual  method  of  working. 
And  why  ? To  lave  us  a little  expenfe  : But  an  ex- 
penfe  of  what  ? Of  a little  of  that  fubltance,  which 
God  has  put  into  our  hands  to  be  ufed  for  his  glory 
and  for  the  benefit  of  mankind.  Can  we  fee  a better 
ufe  to  be  made  of  it  ? We  think,  every  man,  who 
loves  the  gofpel,  will  for  his  own  benefit  do  his  part  to 
fupport  it  in  his  vicinity.  If  a man  fliould  leave  his 
ihare  of  the  common  fupport  to  fall  on  his  neighbour, 
we  fliould  conclude,  the  world  reigned  in  his  heart, 
and  religion  had  no  place  there.  Now  if  we  really  love 
the  gofpel,  we  love  it  for  others,  as  well  as  for  our- 
felves.  Religion  in  the  heart  is  not  felfifliand  monop- 
olizing ; but  benevolent  and  communicative.  The 
true  fpirit  of  religion  will  excite  us  to  promote  its  gene- 
ral influence. 

As  God,  for  feveral  years  pafl,  has  poured  his 
bleflings  upon  us  with  unufual  bounty,  we  are  under 
peculiar  obligations  now  to  honour  him  with  our  fub- 
flance  and  with  the  fruits  of  our  increafe.  Whatever 
we  apply  to  the  advancement  of  religion,  is  given  to 

God. 


[ *9  ] 

God.  And  a little  given  with  a pious  intention,  may 
procure  a rich  reward.  The  Gofpel  ismofb  likely  to 
operate  in  our  own  hearts,  when  they  are  opened  to 
contribute  of  our  fubfbance  for  its  fpread  among  oth- 
ers. The  natural  feed  will  never  flourifh  in  a foil  over- 
grown with  thorns ; no  more  will  the  feed  of  the  word 
become  fruitful  in  hearts  which  are  filled  with  the 
cares  of  the  world  and  the  deceitful  influence  of  riches. 

If  God  has  much  people  among  thofe  who  are 
fcattered  in  the  wilderuefs,  our  pious  and  charitable  la- 
bours to  collect  them  into  his  church,  will  bring  on  us 
the  bleffing  of  fouls  ready  to  perilh.  And  in  fuch  a 
bleffing,  who  would  not  wifli  for  a fharc  ? 

The  miffionaries  employed  by  older  focieties  ren- 
der favorable  accounts  of  their  fuccefs.  Their  ac- 
counts warrant  our  prefent  exertions,  and  juflify  our 
future  hopes. 

3.  Our  preceding  obfervations.  fuggefl  fome  per- 
tinent thoughts  relative  to  the  manner , in  which  our 
miffionary  bufinefs  ffiould  be  conduced. 

The  apofbles  did  not  fend  new  converts,  and 
young,  unexperienced  preachers  on  millions  among 
heathens;  but  went  themfehes,  or  fent  fome  of  their 
own  number.  Young  preachers  they  might  fome- 
times  take  with  them  as  affiftants  ; but  thefe  they 
chiefly  employed  in  fupplving  churches  which  were  al- 
ready formed.  The  Trufbees  of  this  fociety  have,  in 
their  prefent,  which  are  their  firft  millions,  aimed  to 
imitate  the  apofbolic  example.  As  there  may  be  oc- 
cafion  to  adminifler  ordinances,  erett  new  churches,  and 
now  and  then  to  ordain  elders,  it  is  expedient,  that  or- 
dained minifters,  when  they  can  be  obtained,  ffiould 
be  employed,  in  preference  to  candidates,  upon  thefe 
millions.  The  gravity  of  age,  and  the  wifdom  of  ex- 
perience will  give  weight  to  their  influence.  And  it 

may 


/ 


[ « ] 

may  be  fuppofed,  that  ordinarilj',  they  will  be  more 
judicious  in  the  fcle&ion,  and  more  diicreet  in  the 
treatment  of  iubjefts,  than  youthful  preachers.  The 
young  man,  in  the  courfe  of  his  preparatory  dudies, 
pays  particular  attention  to  certain  abltrufe  and  contro- 
verted points  in  divinity.  He  commences  preacher, 
firm  in  the  belief,  and  warm  with  the  fuppofed  impor- 
tance of  this,  or  that  fide  of  the  altercated  queftions. 
And  ihefe  he  too  often  makes  the  fubje<fts  of  difcudicn 
among  people,  who  more  need,  and  rather  wifli  to  liear 
the  great  duties  and  elfential  doctrines  o f religion. 
The  minider  of  years  and  experience,  as  he  grows  more 
wife,  becomes  mere  candid  in  matters  of  controverfy  ; 
and  as  he  increafes  in  knowledge,  he  more  judly  dif- 
criminates  between  things,  which  differ  in  importance  ; 
and  his  preaching,  of  courfe,  takes  a mere  evangelic- 
al, practical,  and  experimental  turn. 

We  are  farther  taught,  that  the  labours  of  mif- 
fionaries  fliould  be  more  local , and  lefs  tranfient , than 
they  have  fometirrfes  been.  The  apodolic  millions 
were  ufually,  for  a time,  llationary  in  the  fame  place. 

Our  millions  are  defigned,  not  to  be  fubftitutes 
for,  but  introductions  to  a fettled  minidry.  They  are 
to  be  a voice  crying  in  the  wildernefs,  4 Prepare  ye  the 
way  of  the  Lord,  make  his  paths  ffraitd  They  are  in- 
tended to  collect  fcattered  people  into  religious  focie- 
ties,  form  them  to  habits  of  order,  lead  them  to  an  at- 
tendance on  gofpel  inffitufions,  diffufe  among  them  a 
fpirit  of  candour,  condefcention  and  peace,  and  affilt 
their  preparation  for,  and  union  in  the  icttlement  of  a 
ffated  minidry.  This  purpofe  can  but  be  effected,  not 
by  curfory,  but  by  dationary  preaching.  A tranfient 
fermon  may  have  a ufcful  influence  on  fome  particular 
perfons ; bul  to  produce  a date  of  union  and  order 
more  permanent  means  mud  be  applied. 

The  important  object  of  our  milfionary  fociety 

has 


[ 21  ] 

has  been  flated,  and  fome  means  for  the  attainment  of 
it  have  been  fuggefted.  With  this  grand  objett  in 
view  let  us  Itrive  together  for  its  advancement,  that 
our  hearts  may  be  refrelhed,  and  that  from  time  to 
time  we  may  meet  together  with  joy,  hearing  of  the 
fpread  and  power  of  the  gofpel  among  our  perilliing 
fellow  mortals. 

The  general  prevalence  of  religion  exhibits  a 
beautiful  and  lovely  feene.  What  can  be  more  pleaf- 
ing  than  to  behold  mankind  a&ing  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  gofpel,  paying  honor  to  God  by  an  attend- 
ance on  his  worlhip,  living  together  in  harmony  and 
peace,  feeking  each  the  happinefs  of  others,  uniting  to 
promote  the  common  falvation,  riling  fuperior  to 
worldly  influence,  and  walking  along,  hand  in  hand, 
in  the  path,  which  leads  up  to  the  kingdom  of  glory  ? 

Such  a ftate  is  refrelhing  to  a benevolent  mind, 
as  it  gives  an  idea  of  general  happinefs. 

When  we  look  around  on  our  guilty,  dying  race, 
how  affecting  the  thought,  that  thefe  are  all  hastening 
down  to  the  grave  ; and  many,  alas  ! many  treading 
the  broad  road  to  eternal  deflru<flion  ? But  how  a- 
greeably  is  the  feene  reverfed,  when  we  can  view  them 
as  fubje&s  of  God’s  grace,  heirs  of  heavenly  glory, 
children  of  immortality,  palling  from  this  probationa- 
ry world  to  a world  of  everlafling  peace  and  joy  ? 

Such  a Hate  of  religion  is  refrelhing,  as  it  gives 
hope  for  fucceeding  generations.  When  we  fee  reli- 
gion declining,  ignorance  increafing,  errors  fpreading, 
and  wickednefs  abounding,  we  tremble  for  poflerity, 
who,  coming  forward  amidfl  fuch  a corrupt  and  dif- 
tempered  race,  will  catch  the  baleful  infe&ion,  and 
tranfmit  it,  with  tenfold  malignity  to  thofe  who  lhall 
follow'.  How  melancholly  the  profpecl:,  when  we  con- 
template a train  of  generations  to  be  born  amidfl  li- 

centioufnefs. 


C 22  ] 

centioufnefs,  grow  up  in  corruption,  pafs  off  in  guilt, 
and  perifh  in  their  fins  ? But  how  delightful  the 
thought,  that  the  prefent  generation,  acting  under  the 
influence  of  truth,  will  train  up  their  children  in  the 
fear  of  God  and  the  nurture  of  the  gofpel ; that  thefe 
will  tranfmit  to  their  fucceffors  the  pious  fentiments 
received  from  their  fathers  ; that  thus  the  knowledge 
of  religion  and  the  means  of  falvation,  with  the  attend- 
ant blefling  of  God,  conveyed  from  age  to  age,  will 
continue  to  diftant  generations  ? What  a mighty  fum 
of  happinefs  will  be  the  refult  of  fuch  a beginning  ? 
What  a glorious  profpett  fuch  a work  opens  to  our 
view  ? 

Be  entreated,  brethren,  for  the  Lord  Jefus  fake, 
and  for  the  love  of  the  fpirit,  that  you  ftrive  together 
in  your  labours,  charities  and  prayers  for  the  lpread 
and  fuccefs  of  the  gofpel,  efpecially  among  thofe,  who' 
principally  claim  the  attention  of  our  fociety.  Thus 
may  Chrifl:  be  glorified  in  them,  and  they  in  him,  ac- 
cording to  the  grace  of  God  and  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl:. 
To  him  be  dominion  forever.  Amen. 


